Davido aide Israel DMW backs Atiku, calls for free vote ahead of 2027 Nigerian election

Aide of music star declares political preference Israel Afeare, known in the entertainment circuit as Israel DMW and employed as the logistics manager for Afrobeats performer Davido, used his Instagram platform to state that he will vote for former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. In the post he argued that the country benefits from northern leadership and criticised a recent ₦15 trillion contract awarded to a single individual, suggesting that integrity outweighs monetary considerations.

Call for an unrestricted electoral process DMW also addressed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the body to ensure that Nigerians are able to select their next leader without interference. He framed the upcoming vote as a matter of allowing citizens to freely decide who will govern them in January 2027.

Dispute over Edo State vote figures The aide further questioned the credibility of reported vote totals from Edo State, specifically a figure of 2.5 million votes. He cited the longstanding popularity of former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole, noting that Oshiomhole’s party has failed to secure a win in Edo during two previous presidential elections despite his personal electoral success.

Context within Davido’s own political positioning Davido’s endorsement remains undecided. While his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, publicly supported incumbent President Bola Tinubu, Davido has previously stated that he would not align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The star also campaigned for his uncle’s Accord Party bid in a prior election, a move that attracted criticism after the governor later joined Tinubu’s re‑election campaign. The aide’s public support for Atiku, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), adds another layer to the evolving political alignments ahead of the 2027 poll.

Implications for the 2027 race Atiku Abubakar, a former vice‑president, is positioning himself as a northern alternative to Tinubu, who seeks a second term under the APC banner. The endorsement from a high‑profile figure in the entertainment industry, even if limited to an aide, reflects the broader trend of celebrities and their entourages influencing public discourse as Nigeria prepares for a tightly contested presidential election.